Posted on 02/09/2006 11:12:26 AM PST by Semper Paratus
As militant Muslims from Indonesia to the West Bank torched and trampled the Danish flag this past week to protest political cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed, Stoughton's Town Manager Mark Stankiewicz grew increasingly upset.
So in a small act of solidarity with Denmark and of support for free speech, Stankiewicz bought two Danish flags on Monday and raised one of the red-and-white banners outside the Town Hall that morning, flying it on the pole beneath the US flag.
The symbolic gesture was short-lived, as Stankiewicz lowered the flag the next afternoon after a local veteran complained that it was improper to fly the flags of two countries on one pole.
But many people in town saw the foreign flag display as insensitive and inflammatory. Several town employees told Stankiewicz they did not agree with his decision and worried the flag could provoke violence against Town Hall in light of the attacks against Danish and other European embassies throughout the Middle East. Stankiewicz described their concerns as an ''overreaction."
The Stoughton No Place for Hate Committee, a local antidiscrimination group, plans to discuss the episode at its meeting tonight because of fears that residents might be hurt or insulted.
''There's always that chance that there will be people who are offended, and we want to guard against that," said Karon Skinner-Catrone, chairperson of the 10-person group, some of whom are town officials.
''I thought people might be upset, but they need to understand what's at stake," he said. ''People are willing to sacrifice civil liberties to feel safe, and that's a slippery slope."
Joe Palmer, a member of the Stoughton VFW post, said he sympathized with Stankiewicz's political statement but said the American flag should fly alone.
"To me, flying them together isn't right,".
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
Wonder how many other towns don't have problems with the rainbow or peace flag displayed under the US flag.
The violation of flag protocol isn't that you cannot fly two flags on one pole, but that you cannot fly the flag of one sovereign nation beneath another. It is okay to fly a state flag under a U.S. flag on the same pole, but flying Old Glory over the Dannebrog indicates that the U.S. has subjugated Denmark or considers it subject to U.S. authority in some way.
bookmark
Who says Muslims are destructive? Look at how they're stimulating the construction and flag-making trades.
Stoughton's near Boston, isn't it? Wouldn't surprise me if many in town also see the flying of Old Glory as "infammatory."
Welcome to Massachusettstan.
''There's always that chance that there will be people who are offended, and we want to guard against that,"
People who think like this are a problem, IMO.
Not worried about what right or wrong, just about offending someone.
Flag protocol aside, this was a great gesture.
"I am offended by people who are constantly offended."
(I don't know who to give credit to for this gem of a quote.)
Amherst, MA has a blue United Nations flag fluttering proudly in front of its town hall.
Same town where the woman complained on Sep 10, 2001, about how the American flag is a symbol of oppression and racism.
BTTT
Two poles for the two flags should solve the problem. With the Danish flag flying slightly lower that ours
ping
What a crotchety old man to complain about that. That's great he's a veteran but it doesn't mean he owns the rights to the flag. No one was insulting the American flag.
Karon Skinner-Catrone, take your silly little feminist sensibilities and go back home and do something useful for your family. Denmark is an ally, radical islam is our enemy, get a clue.
After a few months of daily picketing, and more than a few broken windows, they closed up.
Incidently if you like good thin crust Italian pizza try Town Spa 1/2 mile due south of downtown Stoughton.
"Two poles for the two flags should solve the problem. With the Danish flag flying slightly lower that ours."
No, equal height. The two nations are sovereign and allied.
And see how easily they cut to the quick of their cowardice.
Thanks much!
What a switch, Amherst flies the UN flag while Stoughton flies the Danish flag...
Amherst is prettier, but Stoughton is more manly! :)
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